Deck height - need to get it higher

gophred · #1 02-17-2014, 12:52 PM

I have a problem with my 1250 (44A deck) and my 129 (50A deck). The decks are only 3 maybe 4 inches up in the highest position and both would lower the deck a lot lower than the casters let it. The 129 is hydro lift and the 1250 is manual. I have another 129 with the 38" deck and it lifts a lot higher. Will the A type decks ever get very high on those tractors? The 129 with the 50A has A LOT of wear that probably hurts it's height. I currently have this one torn down to the frame, the shaft that holds the rear of the mule drive is worn about 1/8" and the mule drive itself is also quite worn where it rides on the shaft. I plan to fill these areas back in. I have reworked the hangers (filled the slots) and that got me a little, but not enough. Both of these mowers are used in some rough areas and it would be nice to get the deck(s) higher
Thanks

MinnesotaCadet · #2 02-17-2014, 01:15 PM

I have the exact same problem with my 1250. I'm going to watch this thread.

J-Mech · #3 02-17-2014, 01:19 PM

None of the Cub Cadets will lift over that height. They are made to mow yards, not "rough" areas. Good luck getting your deck higher, they aren't made to go up any more. I think you will find if you do get them any higher, you will start having belt alignment issues. IMHO, get a pull behind bush hog rotary, or flail mower if you are going to mow rough areas.

darkminion_17 · #4 02-17-2014, 01:23 PM

or taller tires

drglinski · #5 02-17-2014, 01:43 PM

Do like farmall did with their letter series- make a "V" version; AV, MV, HV etc-- like this 100 "v"

gophred · #6 02-17-2014, 03:43 PM

I'll have to get the 129/38 and the 129/50A lined up and do some measuring. That's a good point on the belt, but I still can't see why the 38 gets so much higher. I use the 129/50a to mow grass, but I also use it to mow a grove of spruce trees. My JD 830 has a 6' bush hawg finish mower, but it is not much wider than the tractor and the ag tires grab the branches if I get too close. I mow between the trees with that, then "trim" with the 129/50a which gets under the branches pretty well. I only mow this a few times a year and it is tough on the 12 HP when set so low.

maybe more HP is the answer, it usually solves all problems

Cubby guy · #7 02-17-2014, 04:26 PM

Maybe more HP is the answer, it usually solves all problems.

Re-wire it for MORE POWER. " arrh arrh

J-Mech · #8 02-17-2014, 05:03 PM

If your mowing under trees, it sounds like you could benefit from a sickle bar mower.......

sawdustdad · #9 02-17-2014, 05:54 PM

My impression (though I've never measured them) my 44A and 50A decks sit lower and do not raise as high as the 42 inch deck. Not sure if that actually equates to a different blade height difference (if the deck sides of the 44A and 50A go down past the plane of the blades more) or if it's just a different arrangement. There is some adjustment in the deck hangers, so you can adjust both the front hanger loops and the mid hangers, but the rear pin clips are not adjustable.

gophred · #10 02-17-2014, 06:38 PM

I ventured out and measured. The 1250/44A manual lift max height is 2 3/4" (cutting edge of blade). This is really just the height that the casters hold it, they are set to hold the deck as high as possible. The lift can not get the casters off the ground, sitting on flat concrete. Tires are inflated properly. The 129/38's blades are 4 3/4", this 129 has very little wear on the deck hanging wear areas (my first post was on my other 129 which has a lot of wear-and is torn apart). it would be interesting to hang the 50A on that 129 and see where it rides, but will have to wait for someone to put it back together - and some warmer weather so I can paint the frame.
And yes a sickle bar would be the real answer